Self-cleaning spark plug



O. T. YEKER SELF CLEMENS SPARK PLUG Jan. 31, 1928.

Filed.Jan.31, 1927 Patented Jan. 31, 1928.

UNITED STATES OTTO T. YEKEB, OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

SELF-CLEANING SPARK PLUG.

Application filed January 81, 1937. Serial No. 164,901.

This invention relates to spark plu s of that general class having a movable evice or devices positioned to be subject to the force of the explosion in the cylinder to which the spark plug is attached,-for the purpose of preventing the accumulation of carbon on the plug and its points or electrodes.

My improvements comprise a plurality of points or conductors projecting from the body of the spark plug, a single electrode arranged in general central relationship to the lug, a ring which is slidably mounted on the pluralit of electrodes, and a collar which is slida ly mounted on the single conductor aforesaid. The ring is positioned and guided by the plurality of electrodes in such fashion that it can. move toward and away from the end of the spark plug body. The collar is arranged to slide in and out of the body of the plug and,- preferably, also to enter or telescope within the ring. The ring and the collar are subject to the force of the explosions in the cylinder and are forced upwardly in relation to the spark plug when the explosion occurs. They then fall. These movements of the ring and the collar keep the electrodes and central conductor relatively free of carbon deposits and thus the plug is rendered automatically selfcleaning.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1, is a vertical elevation, partly in section;

Fig. 2, is an end elevation; and

Fig. 3, is a section on The metal body of the spark plug is shown at 1 and the porcelain part appears at 2. The body 1, is 'hollow as at 3, in accordance with usual spark plug practice.

The central conductor which is-connected to the porcelain part 2, is shown at 4, said conductor extendmg down below the lower end of the body 1- and being located centrally and disposed longitudinally of the hollow part 3. c

.Instead of the usual single electrode which is connected to the body 1, my inven tion provides a plurality of electrodes 5. Preferably, at least three of said electrodes are employed. These electrodes project downwardly from the end of the body 1 and have inturned ends 6.

Slidably'mounted on the central conductor 4 is a metal collar 7 which may be in ring keep to the internal the line 33, Fig. 1.

the form of a polygonal nut or disc of a size slightly smaller than the diameter of the hollow part 3. The lower end of the conductor 4 is enlarged or rovided with means 8 to prevent the collar% from falling 01f. The fit between the collar 7 and the conductor 4 is loose so that said collar may easily move up and down on said conductor.

A metal ring 9 is mounted to slide on the electrodes 5 and to be prevented from dropping off by the ends 6. The ring 9 may e mounted by the provision of notches 10 in its periphery, said notches, loosely receiving the electrodes 5 to enable the ring not only to freely slide on said electrodes but also to tilt. The ring is of sufiicient inturned diameter to receive the collar 7 i i The force oft-he explosion in the cylinder to which the spark plugis connected, drives the collar 7 and the ring 9 upwardly, the former sliding up into the hollow part 3 of the spark plug, and the latter being driven against the end of the spark plu The'collar and the ring drop down a r the explosion. The movements of the collar and the conductor ij and electrodes 5 relatively clean of carbon deposits. The

collar 7 also tends to clear the internal sur- 9 of carbon deposits.

face of the ring Preferably, the collar 7 will have corners or angles or their equivalents to facilitate the' dislodgement of any carbon particles which might tend to adhere to the inner walls of the hollow central part 3 of the plug and surface of the ring 9.

What I claim is:

1. A. self-cleaning spark plug provided with a centrally dlsposed conductor, and with a plurality of electrodes arranged in cage-like formation therearound. the latter pro ecting from the end of the body of the plug, a collar slidably mounted on the central conductor and said conductor clean, and a cleaning ring slidably mounted on the aforesaid plurality of electrodes, said collar and ring being adapted to telescope.

2. A self-cleaning spark plughaving a hol lowbody, a conductor disposed within said hollow bod and projecting-beyond the end of said b y, a collar provided withpoints and slidable on said conductor from a. point beyond the end of said body to a oint within the hollow bod a plurality o electrodes projecting from te end of the hollow body aforesaid, and a cleaning ring slidably adapted to keep the.

mounted on said last-named electrodes and egiioithehollow body aforesaid ond provid adapted to move toward and away from the ed'mthisujgporting ends, and a oleaping ring end of the body. -whioh is ounted to slide on' said; plurality 3. Ase1fleaning sparkoplughavingehol-t of elegtr dos and which is' adapted tore- 5 low body, a conductor .dlsposed within said ceive within itselfth'e aforesaid collar,'meens hollow bod and projecting beyond the ergd beipgfl-pgovided to prevent the collir from ofsaid b0 y, a collar slidable on. said con-oboomingdeteohed from thecent'rally'locat doctor from a-point beyond .the' and ofsaid: ed electrode. body to a point within the. hollow body, a In testimony whereof I afiix my si%mture. plurality of electrodes projecting fromthe. f OTTO T. ER; 

